title: Dynamics of human milk nutrient composition of women from Singapore with a special focus on lipids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A recent report suggested that human milk (HM) composition not only changes with lactation stages but also vary according to gender of the offspring. In spite of available literature, the dynamic changes of HM composition still remain to be completely explored and characterized. Progress in analytical technologies together with quantitative sampling of HM allows for a better quantification of HM nutrients and thereby providing a deeper understanding of the dynamics of HM secretion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize and quantify HM nutrients based on appropriate for analyses sampling procedures and advanced analytical methodologies.
  We conducted an observatory, single center, longitudinal trial with HM collection at 30, 60, and 120 days postpartum from 50 mothers (singleton-deliveries of 25 male and 25 female infants). HM samples were analyzed for lipid, lactose, energy density, fatty acids, phospholipids, and gangliosides. Longitudinal analyses of the datasets have been carried out using linear mixed models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HM for male infants compared to females at 120 days, were higher for energy content and lipids by 24 and 39%, respectively. Similarly, other bioactive lipids such as linoleic acid, phospholipids and gangliosides were also significantly different based on the gender of the infant. Significant stage-based differences were observed for total lipids, energy density, phospholipids, and gangliosides. Such difference in HM composition may stem from different energy needs to cope up for individual growth and development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collectively, the current observations affirm that HM secretion, especially the lipid composition, is a very dynamic and personalized biological process.
authors.affiliation: Nestlé Research Center, Nestec, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, 1000, Lausanne, 26, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sagar K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Thakkar
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giuffrida
authors.forename: Cruz-Hernandez
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cristina
authors.forename: Carlos Antonio
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: De Castro
authors.forename: Rajat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: Liên-Anh
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steenhout
authors.forename: Le Ye
authors.initials: le Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Destaillats
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D012846:Singapore
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D005732:Gangliosides; D010743:Phospholipids